Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal granted interim bail for election campaigning until June 1, but must return to prison by June 2 as Supreme Court navigates political and legal complexities. Opposition and support clash as Kejriwal’s campaign continues amidst controversy.
In a recent turn of events, the Supreme Court has granted interim bail to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal until June 1 to allow him to campaign for the upcoming elections. It’s quite a rollercoaster ride, isn’t it?
Kejriwal is required to surrender to prison authorities by June 2, with bail conditions similar to those imposed on AAP leader Sanjay Singh. This means he can participate in political activities, including campaigning for the Aam Aadmi Party, during this interim bail period.
Kejriwal’s legal team actually requested bail until June 4 for campaigning purposes, but the court denied the extension due to the impending campaign deadline. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) was not in favor of granting bail, arguing that no politician should have special status above ordinary citizens.
However, the court acknowledged Kejriwal’s position as an elected Chief Minister and deemed him not a habitual offender. They considered the circumstances to be exceptional, leading to the grant of interim bail.
ED was also questioned by the court about the delayed action taken against Kejriwal and the AAP, with the matter raising eyebrows as to why it took two years for them to initiate proceedings.
For some context, Kejriwal was arrested in connection to an alleged Delhi liquor policy scam. He has vehemently denied the charges and accused the BJP of leveling false accusations against him.
Interestingly, despite being in Tihar Jail for a money laundering case, Kejriwal has now been granted interim bail specifically for election campaigning until June 1. The Supreme Court, however, rejected a plea for extending the bail until June 4 for the vote counting period.
So, Kejriwal will have to surrender and return to jail on June 2 as per the court’s orders. The ED’s opposition to the interim bail for campaigning cited the lack of precedents in such cases.
Kejriwal’s lawyer has argued for no restrictions on what he can say during his campaign activities. On the other hand, the Solicitor General has raised concerns about the special treatment being afforded to the Chief Minister, while the court emphasized the significance of the electoral process.
It’s a gripping saga that keeps unraveling, and we’ll have to wait and see how it all plays out in the days to come. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story!
